Gambling, also known as risk-taking and sensation-seeking, involves staking something of value on an uncertain event where the outcome is determined by chance and skill is not involved. The goal is to win a prize, such as money or other items of value. Some forms of gambling include betting on sports, horse racing and buying scratchcards. Gambling is a widely practiced activity with a long history, but it has been linked to numerous negative consequences such as financial problems, debt and emotional distress.
People who have a gambling problem are often attracted to it because it provides them with short term relief from stress while creating more stress in the long run. They are often motivated by a desire for novelty and stimulation and enjoy the high arousal that gambling can produce. Some theories posit that people who gamble enjoy diverse sensations and do not like a single stimulus (Zuckerman, 1979). Others suggest that the enjoyment of gambling is related to impulsivity.
Pathological gambling has been compared to substance abuse and viewed as an addictive disorder. It is associated with significant monetary losses, social problems including alienation from family and friends, and health consequences such as poor nutrition and depression. There is a growing role for generalist physicians to evaluate patients for gambling behaviors. More research is needed to directly examine the biological and health correlates of specific types of gambling behavior and to define a role for these behaviors in primary care.